9 October 2024 – The Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) has issued an urgent warning to water users and communities residing along the Harts and Vaal Rivers in the North West and Northern Cape Provinces, cautioning against the use of untreated water due to the presence of cholera bacteria.

Routine raw water sampling conducted in September detected cholera in five locations, including Wentzel Dam, Schweizer Reneke, Christiana, Barkley West Caravan Park, and Douglas Weir. As a result, the department is advising residents to avoid drinking or coming into direct contact with untreated water from these rivers.

The warning particularly applies to communities in the Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District, Francis Baard District, and Pixley ka Seme District Municipalities. Water service authorities in these areas, including municipalities such as Naledi, Greater Taung, Lekwa Teemane, Magareng, Dikgatlong, Sol Plaatje, Siyacuma, and Phokwane, have been instructed to take additional precautions during water treatment, focusing on disinfection and chlorination processes.

Effective Chlorination Process to Combat Cholera Risk

DWS has reassured the public that water treated through chlorination is safe to use and that municipalities are regularly testing water supplies to ensure they meet the necessary safety standards. Water that does not meet the required health standards will not be supplied for consumption.

However, DWS has urged the public to avoid using untreated water from rivers, dams, and streams, as these natural water sources contain raw water that may not be safe for human consumption. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has provided further guidelines to ensure safe drinking water, which can be accessed by the public.

Municipalities Urged to Take Precautions

The DWS has called on municipalities to continue instructing residents to boil water for drinking as an extra precautionary measure where laboratory results or operational monitoring indicate any potential risks.

The Vaal River, which serves multiple provinces including Gauteng, Free State, North West, and Northern Cape, plays a crucial role in supplying water for domestic, industrial, mining, and agricultural use. The DWS emphasized that ongoing monitoring and enforcement activities will be conducted to ensure compliance with water safety standards and to address any potential sources of pollution along the river from Bloemhof Dam to Douglas.

The department encourages residents to stay informed about water quality in their area and to report any concerns to local authorities.

Stay Safe, Boil Your Water

As a reminder, residents should only consume treated water from reliable sources, and where concerns arise, boiling water before use remains an essential safety measure.

-The VIP Team

-DWS

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